Investigators consider connection between abductions, sexual assaults in two counties

Sheriff releases description of man who attempted abduction

A teenager was able to evade an abduction attempt in West Baraboo, and deputies are checking to see if the case has connections to other cases, according to the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies were called to the Haskin Park area in West Baraboo at 7:53 p.m. Wednesday for a report of an abduction attempt.

The 18-year-old victim told deputies a man asked him for directions to Walmart. As the victim was giving directions he pointed in the direction of Walmart and the man grabbed his arm and attempted to force him into his midsize silver SUV.

The teenager was able to break away from the man and run home.

The man is described as white, about 6 feet tall, stocky with short hair and a deep voice.

"She advised that she did not at which point the individual got out and had her get in the vehicle and took her to a wooded area east of Lyndon Station and sexually assaulted her," said Juneau County Sheriff Brent Oleson.

He called the cases "very concerning."

In that case, the attacker was described as a white man in his 30s to 50s, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing between 180 and 200 pounds. His vehicle was described as a silver or tan smaller SUV.

"The officers are talking and sharing information back and forth at this point," said Sauk County Chief Deputy Kevin Fults. "I don't have anything I can say that would rule [a connection] out or rule it in, but they are talking and will continue to work together between the two counties to see if there is any type of connection."

Oleson said images of a vehicle released in relation to the sexual assault case are not of the suspect vehicle, but it's similar to the SUV in the images.

The victim from Wednesday's attempted abduction was shown a sketch of the man who assaulted the victim in Juneau County, but was unable to say if the sketch resembled the attempted abductor.

Another incident was reported to the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office in early September on Highway 33 east of Manmound Road. The alleged victim refused to cooperate with law enforcement.

Juneau County says they're also investigating a similar silver SUV that followed to her home near Lyndon Station on October 10th.

Oleson is encouraging parents to talk to their children about being aware of their surroundings. Anyone with information is asked to call the Juneau or Sauk County Sheriff's Department.

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